Patten catches on with New Orleans

NFL
Free agent wide receiver David Patten, a former Patriot who visited his former team earlier this month in search of a job, signed a one-year contract yesterday with the New Orleans Saints. He had been released by the Washington Redskins . . . The Patriots finalized the dates and times of their preseason games. They'll open at Tampa Bay Aug. 10 with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff before returning home to face the Titans Aug. 17 (8 p.m.). They travel to Carolina Aug. 24 at 8 before hosting the Giants in the finale Aug. 30 at 7:30 . . . The Denver Broncos signed former Patriots receiver David Terrell, a free agent, to a one-year contract.

BASEBALL

Chicago Cubs righthander Mark Prior experienced discomfort in his right shoulder and left his first extended spring training start in Mesa, Ariz., after two innings. The Cubs said he is scheduled to visit orthopedic specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum in California for evaluation . . . Yankees righthander Mike Mussina, who suffered a strained hamstring that forced him out of Wednesday's game in Minnesota during the third inning, will likely be replaced by Sean Henn for his next turn . . . San Diego Padres catcher Josh Bard was put on the 15-day disabled list with a strained groin . . . Shortstop Alex Gonzalez will miss several games for the Cincinnati Reds, who placed him on the bereavement list while he attends to a family matter in Venezuela . . . Reds manager Jerry Narron benched cleanup hitter Edwin Encarnacion after he failed to run out a pop fly Wednesday night. But Encarnacion probably will be back in the lineup today in Chicago . . . Philadelphia Phillies infielder Hector Made was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance as a minor leaguer . . . The New York Mets sent outfielder Lastings Milledge to Triple A New Orleans to make room for tonight's starting pitcher, Mike Pelfrey, on the roster.

HOCKEY

Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro has been cleared for practice and could be ready to play Game 2 of New York's first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Sabres. DiPietro, out since March 25 when he sustained his second concussion, traveled to Buffalo in time to watch the Islanders' 4-1 loss last night. Coach Ted Nolan said DiPietro will practice today, then the team will determine whether he can play tomorrow . . . The severity of San Jose Sharks top goal scorer Jonathan Cheechoo's injured right knee remains unknown. Cheechoo declined interview requests after an MRI, prompted by a knee-on-knee collision with Nashville Predators forward Scott Hartnell Wednesday during the Sharks' 5-4 double-overtime victory in Game 1 of their series. San Jose coach Ron Wilson, who thought the hit was dirty, said he didn't know if Cheechoo is out for the series . . . The United States fell to Russia, 5-3, in the opener of the World Under-18 Championships at Rauma, Finland.

COLLEGES

Legendary former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, 96, originally admitted for diverticulitis, will remain hospitalized at least one more day because of an elevated heart rate . . . Point guard Gary Correia and forward Trey Lang signed letters of intent to play basketball at UMass . . . In an effort to create more plays, the NCAA decided to revert to a pair of 2005 football rules: stopping the clock on possession changes and not starting it on kickoffs until the receiving team touches the ball . . . Soccer player Patrick Huffer of Williams and rower Christina Mulka of Northeastern are among six finalists for the NCAA's two Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarships.

MISCELLANY

Second seed James Blake beat Alex Kuznetsov, 7-6, 6-1, to reach the quarterfinals of the US Clay Court Championships at Houston . . . Venus Williams cruised into the quarterfinals of the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, S.C., with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Chan Yung-Jan . . . Alberto Martin upset second-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero, 6-4, 6-2, in the second round of the Valencia (Spain) Open . . . The United States will visit Goteborg for the Davis Cup semifinals against Sweden Sept. 21-23 on a surface to be determined . . . Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson appeared in a Mesa, Ariz., court and learned he will go on trial Aug. 20 on charges of drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs. Tyson was fresh out of a California rehabilitation facility . . . The Revolution have signed midfielder Bryan Byrne, a third-round draft choice. Tony Lochhead was released . . . Kenny Cooper's goal in the 43d minute gave FC Dallas a 2-1 MLS win over the host Los Angeles Galaxy . . . The Dallas Mavericks signed center Kevin Willis, 44, for the rest of the season . . . Former UConn star Swin Cash scored 11 points as the US women's national basketball team routed Phard Napoli of Naples, 72-49, on its Tour of Italy.